The Fantastic Four: First Steps has released their newest trailer, and I’m shocked at how the Marvel Cinematic Universe has integrated one of Reed Richards’ most mocked traits into the story of their upcoming film. Leading the cast of First Steps alongside Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards has the potential to be one of the most important and interesting characters in the MCU. By including his most controversial traits, the film seems set to introduce a complex iteration of the popular hero.

First Steps has a lot to do within its runtime. The film is set to introduce a new version of the MCU’s Silver Surfer, and to have Marvel’s First Family work together to resist the outsized threat of Galactus. With incredible villains, a new world, and a whole cosmos to explore, it remains to be seen how all of this will be handled in the new film. However, a peek at one of Reed’s most interesting traits, as seen in the new First Steps trailer, might give a fair indication of how these details will align at the film’s release.

Mister Fantastic’s Obsessive Pursuit Of Science Has Been A Focal & Mocked Aspect Of The Character For A Long Time

Science Has Made Reed Richards Antisocial

Put simply, despite Mister Fantastic’s superpowers, Reed Richards is a nerd. This has been a major part of the character’s history, and has shown up in all kinds of iterations of the character. Often considered the smartest man on Earth, Reed Richards’ relentless pursuits have even brought him to some twisted ends in the comics, transforming him into the villain The Maker. These pursuits have made the character ornery and rude, with his fixation on his science and work taking up most of his attention.

This was referenced as the reason his relationship with Sue fell apart in the 2005 film, and has been parodied in other media. Reacher Dick from the Fantastico team in The Boys‘ comic book series only appears for a few pages, but the character is rude, self-centered, and only invested in his own pursuits. This part of the character’s personality is important, and helps to diversify him from more conventional heroes with fewer scientific obsessions and pursuits.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ New Trailer Justifies Mister Fantastic’s Science Obsession

The New Trailer Highlights The Importance of Reed’s Scientific Interests

Fortunately, an obsession with science appears to be necessary for Reed Richards’ story in the new film. Details of the trailer and rumored plot details suggest that Reed will be using his scientific knowledge to help to defeat the threat that their world faces. As Galactus appears in the skies, it seems that the size of his threat may actually be almost impossible to understand. Fortunately, Reed’s science obsession can help to break down and understand the issue in order to resolve it.

World-hopping and multiversal stories are a difficult realm to balance meaningful stakes. However, with Reed Richards’ brilliance and the heart of his team, it seems that the heroes may actually be able to prevail in the film due to Reed’s scientific obsession. If worlds are dying, and disastrous figures like Galactus are being used against them, it is in his interest to resolve this, not just for now, but for the future as well. Reed’s science could help to save countless worlds in The Fantastic Four‘s Marvel Multiverse.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Also Shows The Dangers Of Reed Richards’ Scientific Pursuits

First Steps’ Main Events May Have Been Caused By Reed

Reed Richards may be more responsible for the destructive events that Galactus brings in the new film than may be initially apparent. In one of the trailer’s biggest Fantastic Four reveals, Reed laments to Sue: “It’s my fault. I stretched the bounds of space, and they heard.” Because of this, it seems that the film is suggesting that Reed’s science and his obsession with learning about the multiverse may have been what actually led Galactus to their world. With this in mind, there is an incredible danger inherent to Reed’s scientific pursuits.

If Reed brought Galactus upon his world using science, then that says some terrifying things about his work and efforts in the franchise. Pursuing science and knowledge, at the expense of whatever else, is important to Reed’s character. However, I think that the hero is also best when he has a conscience. Seeing how his scientific pursuits could affect him and provide all kinds of internal struggles is an excellent prospect for the new film. This could lead to some complex and interesting scenes and exchanges.

How much Reed’s science is to blame for Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps remains to be seen. However, it does seem clear that there is a connection between Reed’s work examining the multiverse and the appearance of this enormous threat. The story for the new film appears to be tense and exciting, with genuine stakes in place. As this is in another universe, I have no idea who or what might even survive the events of the film, complicating the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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